49th and 50th bound!!: July 2016

Aloha!! We just returned from a trip to Maui for Teo and Don's wedding. What a trip to go back and visit the farm!! For those of you who have read my blog before you'll remember my experience at the Surfing Goat Dairy and all my goatie pics. One of my favorite ones is of all the recent babies lined up in a row.

The little spotted black/white guy with big ears in the middle is Pepito. Below is Pepito now!! He's grown into one handsome billy. I would have loved to get in his enclosure with him and love on him but billy goats beards are stained yellow for a reason...

This last fall my chickens FINALLY started laying eggs. With the combination of being in between coops and shipment fails as well as lack of daylight my ladies were some late bloomers. The wait was worth it! Though it may seem like small peanuts I was so excited to get my first egg from the girls. All four are now laying and we get to enjoy fresh eggs every day.

The first egg

This winter Scott and I had a chance to knock off a trip from our AK bucket list....Chena hot springs. The hot springs are a natural geothermal system in which the hot water makes it's way up to the surface full of minerals from underground. They were used by miners to relieve their sore bodies and were used as early as the 1900s! These days people travel from all over to enjoy the springs, known for their healing abilities. We started our road trip with an overnight stay in Talkeetna. We even got to see Denali peeking out the next morning. With both dogs in tow we made our way to the hot springs and enjoyed a couple days on site. My favorite part of the trip, besides taking a dip in the natural hot springs of course, was hiking and playing with the dogs in the snow and the ice museum.

Good morning Denali!

So much fresh powder, the dogs went crazy wrestling and playing with us in the snow

An apple martini from the Aurora ice bar

Scott showing off his musical talent ; )

Forget about kissing a moose...

In the last year I've also attended many naked lady parties. Yes, you heard it! But it's not what you think haha. Naked lady parties are when a group of women get together and bring any clothes they want to get rid of and you throw them in a massive pile and it's a free for all. If you haven't been to one, you should try it. Not only is it a good way to do some spring cleaning in your closet but you'll come home with some new clothes and have fun with some rad ladies. Unfortunately I tend to end up with more than I came with...

Erin, Casey, Marina and I at Casey's naked lady party

Winter seemed to fly by this year between the quick trips and an abundance of visitors. My brother Andrew and his fiancé Jill were able to come for a long weekend as well as Sarah, Scott's older sister. We had a blast spending time together and enjoying winter activities. Andrew even managed to make our Tuesday night trivia team look good ; ) Dad and his friend Jan also came to visit and were able to travel all over Alaska and take it all in. My favorite part of the trip was visiting Matanuska Glacier.

Cross-country skiing at Hatchers Pass in Palmer

Killing it at trivia!

Alyeska resort on a beautiful clear winter day

Sarah and I

A night out with Dad and Jan, we saw the Young Dubliners at the Sitzmark

Panoramic view of the Matanuska Glacier

Running of the reindeer!!! I made it to town after work for the Iditarod festivities just as they were lining up to run.

Shortly after our visitors I was off to Unalakleet, AK for the Iditarod. I had the amazing opportunity to be a part of the dropped dog program, tending to all the dropped dogs at the Unalakleet checkpoint. Words can't describe the incredible experience. Known for being extremely windy with below-zero weather, we lucked out and had great weather with beautiful sunrises, sunsets, and northern lights all but the last day (in which I experienced that bitter wind they spoke of). Not only did I get to work with a unique and hard working group of people, but I was able to experience the bush and Iditarod first hand. I don't think I've ever felt so motivated and determined as working with this group of dedicated volunteers. Some folks take weeks off to spend their time making this great race happen, all for the experience and love of dog mushing. I definitely hope to stay involved in the race for years to come. If you're unfamiliar with the dropped dog program, we are a group of dog handlers, technicians, and vets who care for the sick, tired, or injured dogs along the trail who are either flown to Unalakleet by the Iditarod Air Force or dropped off at the checkpoint by their mushers. Dogs will be dropped for a variety of reasons. It was very rewarding to work with such stoic, spirited athletes.

The team! Our triage line, evaluating incoming dogs from the bush planes. Thanks to the ITC for capturing this picture.

A lovely sunset and bering sea ice

Kelly Maixner. What a stand up guy. He even gave me a bootie haha

Checkin the dogs out after arriving in Unalakleet

One of my favorite pics from the trip. The little kids were loving on Hops. He's such a people dog and lover he refused to lay down and rest as he preferred pets and praise.

Mandy (my BA tech and partner in crime on this trip) and Hops

One of the kiddos made a sign for Kelly and he placed it on his sled

The local pizza place and where many of us volunteers spent our off time to get in touch with loved ones

Hops! One of my favorite parts of the experience was getting to see the dog teams I helped process for ECGs and blood work last year running and out on the trail

Drop bags for the mushers full of supplies, etc.

Takin a snooze after running the trail

View from dropped dog lot

Evening view from dropped dog lot...beautiful coast and sea ice

Brent Sass' (2015 Yukon Quest Champ) sled and dogs moments after being the first musher to arrive in Unalakleet. He was the first musher to come in! Mandy and I were lucky enough to see Brent and Dallas Seavey pull in after our 4-midnight shift. We just missed Aliy Zerkel as we raced back to the church gym we all slept in during our stay to wake up our technician friend who's a big fan.

The Unalakleet resident's training grounds for American Ninja Warrior.

Loved this little sweetheart

"The horse" as we called him

Mr. Tanto...such a fun dog with great personality

So I may have had a photo shoot with this handsome devil...Duke!

A funny looking sled dog (they come in all varieties!)...those ears!

This one reminded me of my Aly girl

Bat ears!

Dropped dog lot!

Putting the dogs in their boxes getting ready to fly home!

Meredith and Derek Shepard. You heard it grey's anatomy fans!

Ellen Halverson

She was so happy to be reunited with mom

2 adorable bush pups that kept following us on our beach walk

Oda and friend

Lucky for Scott I couldn't easily bring this pup home...

Rae and her star fish : )

Right before Iditarod and during all our visits we found out that I had FINALLY fulfilled my dream...I got into vet school! This was my new years resolution last year and it still doesn't seem real as Scott and I prepare to make the big move to St. Kitts in the Caribbean for the Ross Veterinary Medicine program in August. I'm sad to say my Alaska chapter is coming to an end but we're looking forward to our next adventure. Below are a couple pics of my latest job at Jack Sprat as a server while I took classes and moved towards my goal of getting into vet school. A more sappy post to come as I prepare to say goodbye to the 49th state.

The brunch crew! Plus Frans (owner)

Sprat won the battle of the bars karaoke night!

Scott and I in Lahaina

Happy cinco de mayo!

View from the blow hole in Napili

Crabs come out

Blackie (the newest herd dog addition to the goat farm)

Remember Ghiradelli?! Eva dressed him up for the wedding as he fulfilled the big role of walking Teo down the aisle : )

Scott meeting some new friends

Beautiful bride walking down the aisle

Erin, Teo, and I. So happy for both of them!!

My romanian love!

Teo, Thomas, Eva and I celebrating the big day

I couldn't help tracking down Princess Highway for a pic. I've missed this cat!

Scott and I had a long layover from Arizona to Alaska so we met up with Dad and Andrew! Between brunch, a desert hike, and happy hour we had a great visit which went way too fast. Though it was hotter than hell it was one of the highlights of the trip!

Our fearless leader... ; )

My three favorite men!

Because we'll be moving to the Caribbean I unfortunately had to find a good home for my chickens! Of course Konan had to give me a last bit of drama and was sick the last couple of days.

Chicken bath! Which somehow worked...

Our last afternoon together. Love you Konan! You were one interesting buffy!

We've had a lot of wildlife this summer right outside our bedroom window! One morning we woke up to a black bear and two cubs outside our yard on the tree across the street.

Off they go!

A week later we had a mama moose and calf

We woke up to mama and baby in our yard

Aly was very intrigued...

It's been a very busy summer preparing for the big move and trying to soak up our last bit of Alaska. This summer our good friends Kat and Adam got married and had a beautiful ceremony at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center. Old friends came to visit and join in the festivities!